Paul Shaffer
Biography
Paul Shaffer is a Canadian musician, composer, vocalist, and band leader. He is known for his work in the entertainment industry. Born on November 28, 1949, in Fort William, Ontario, Canada, Shaffer is a male actor with a known for acting credit of 92. He has worked as a bandleader and musical director for David Letterman on Late Night with David Letterman and Late Show with David Letterman. Shaffer has also served as the de facto leader of the early Saturday Night Live house band. He is a composer and has worked as a keyboarder, music producer, and composer.
Career overview
Paul Shaffer is a Canadian actor known for his work in television. He has appeared in numerous projects, with a total of 92 acting credits. Shaffer's career spans multiple decades, with his earliest known work dating back to the 1980s.
As a member of David Letterman's team, Shaffer served as the musical director and bandleader on Late Night with David Letterman and Late Show with David Letterman. His role on these shows likely contributed to his extensive acting credits. Shaffer's work on television has been well-received, with a content score of 100 on a certain platform.
Shaffer's acting credits are diverse, with no specific details available about the types of roles he has played. His work in television has been a significant part of his career, with a focus on music and comedy. As a Canadian actor, Shaffer has established himself as a versatile performer with a long history of work in the entertainment industry.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
118 titles- Marty, Life Is Short (2026) as Self
- You Had to Be There: How the Toronto Godspell Ignited the Comedy Revolution... (2026) as Self
- Peter Asher: Everywhere Man (2026) as Self
- I'm Chevy Chase and You're Not (2025) as Self
- SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (2025) as Self
- Spinal Tap II: The End Continues (2025) as Artie Fufkin
- Ladies & Gentlemen... 50 Years of SNL Music (2025) as Self - SNL Band Member 1975 - 1980
- The Voice That Rocked America: The Dick Biondi Story (2023) as Self
- Spector (2022) as Self
- Finding Sandler (2022) as Self
- My Next Guest with David Letterman and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (2022) Original Music Composer
- Chuck Leavell: The Tree Man (2020) as Self
- The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019) as Self
- The Masked Singer (2019) as Self - Video Message
- The Masked Singer (2019) as Skeleton (archive footage)
- The Masked Singer (2019) as Skeleton
- Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice (2019) as Self (archive footage)
- Paul Shaffer Plus One (2019) as self
- My Next Guest with David Letterman and Shah Rukh Khan (2019) Original Music Composer
- Bachman (2018) as Self
- Always at The Carlyle (2018) as Self
- Love, Gilda (2018) as Self
- Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame: In Concert 2014-2017 (2018) as Self
- Night of Too Many Stars: America Unites for Autism Programs (2017) as Self
- Sharknado 4: The 4th Awakens (2016) as Paul Shaffer
- Todd Who? (2016) as Himself
- The Late Show with Stephen Colbert (2015) as Self - Musical Guest
- A Very Murray Christmas (2015) as Paul Schaffer
- Being Canadian (2015) as Self
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Paul Shaffer and the World's Most Dangerous Band
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) as Self - Musical Guest
- The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (2014) Music Director
- 12-12-12 | The Concert for Sandy Relief (2012) as Self
- Bachman & Turner - Live at the Roseland Ballroom (2012) as Keyboards
- Running Wilde (2010) as Self
- Celebrity Ghost Stories (2009) as Self
- Ray Charles: The Legend Lives On (2008) as Self
- Fats and Friends (2007) as Self
- Bob & Doug McKenzie's Two-Four Anniversary (2007) as Self
- Second City: First Family of Comedy (2006) as Self
- How I Met Your Mother (2005) as Paul Shaffer
- Disney Heroes Volume 1 (2005) as Hermes (voice)
- The Blues Brothers: Transposing The Music (2005) as Self
- Saturday Night Live: The Best of Dan Aykroyd (2005) as Blues Brothers Band (archive footage)
- Rockin' Pianos (2004) as Self
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! (2003) as Self
- Hope & Faith (2003) as Himself
- The N.Y. Friars Club Roast of Chevy Chase (2002) as Self - Host
- Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2001) as Paul Shaffer
- Primetime Glick (2001)
- America | A Tribute to Heroes (2001) as Self
- The Concert for New York City (2001) as Self
- The Concert for New York City (2001) Music Director
- 50 Years of NBC Late Night (2001) as Self (archive footage)
- Ed (2000) as Irv Nadler
- Where Are They Now? (1999) as Self
- The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (1999) as Self
- Mark Twain Prize (1999) as Self
- Man on the Moon (1999) as Letterman Band (uncredited)
- Hercules: Zero to Hero (1999) as Hermes (voice) (archive sound)
- Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special (1999) Writer
- Hollywood Squares (1998) as Self - Panelist
- Hercules (1998) as Hermes (voice)
- Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) as Marco
- Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) Music
- Blues Brothers 2000 (1998) Original Music Composer
- The Stories Behind the Making of 'The Blues Brothers' (1998) as Self
- The View (1997) as Self
- Hercules (1997) as Hermes (voice)
- Flash Gordon (1996) as Dr. Zarkov (voice)
- Flash Gordon: Marooned on Mongo (1996) as Dr. Hans Zarkov (voice)
- The Show Formerly Known as the Martin Short Show (1995) as Self
- The Weinerville New Year's Special: Lost in the Big Apple (1995) as Self
- Late Show with David Letterman (1993) as Self -Musical Director
- Friends of Gilda (1993) as Self
- The Best of the Blues Brothers (1993) as Self (archive footage)
- A Spinal Tap Reunion: The 25th Anniversary London Sell-Out (1992) as Artie Fufkin
- Look Who's Talking Too (1990) as Taxi Businessman
- Night of 100 Stars III (1990) as Self
- Seriously... Phil Collins (1990) as Self
- Scrooged (1988) as Street Musician
- Heartbeat (1987) as Filmmaker's Assistant
- The Beach Boys: 25 Years Together - A Celebration In Waikiki (1987) as Self
- Nightwatch (1985) Stunts
- Tears Are Not Enough (1985) as Self
- Martin Short: Concert for the North Americas (1985)
- Jeopardy! (1984) as Self
- This Is Spinal Tap (1984) as Artie Fufkin
- Steve Martin's Best Show Ever (1981) as Self / Jo Jo the Dog-Faced Boy
- Gilda Live (1980) as Don Kirshner / Arnie Schnachtman / Student Body President / The Candy Slice Group
- Gilda Live (1980) Writer
- Gilda Live (1980) Music
- Gilda Live (1980) Musician
- CBS News Sunday Morning (1979) as Self
- Mr. Mike's Mondo Video (1979) as Church of Jack Lord Organist
- The Blues Brothers Live at Winterland (1978)
- A Year at the Top (1977)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Host
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Cameo (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Igor (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Crowd Member (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Pianist (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Musician at Plato’s Cave (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Don Kirshner / Paul (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - The Blues Brothers Band / Don Kirshner (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Don Kirshner (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Paul (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - The Blues Brothers Band (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Don Kirshner / Self (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Danny Kreutzman (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Various (uncredited)
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Musician
- Saturday Night Live (1975) as Self - Various Characters
- The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (1962) as Self
- Tony Awards (1956) as Self - Performer
- Darlene Love: I Know Where I've Been as Self
- Say Hello to Our Good Friend Paul Shaffer as Self
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Paul Shaffer best known for?
Paul Shaffer is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Marty, Life Is Short (2026), SNL50: The Homecoming Concert (2025), The Kelly Clarkson Show (2019), The Masked Singer (2019).
When and where was Paul Shaffer born?
Paul Shaffer was born on November 28, 1949 in Fort William, Ontario, Canada.
How many credits does Paul Shaffer have?
Paul Shaffer has accumulated over 118 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1956 to 2026.
What is Paul Shaffer's background in cinema and television?
Paul Shaffer is a Canadian musician, composer, vocalist, and band leader. He is known for his work in the entertainment industry. Born on November 28, 1949, in Fort William, Ontario, Canada, Shaffer is a male actor with a known for acting credit of 92. He has worked as a bandleader and musical director for David Letter...